Subaru Legacy MOT Failures
An analysis of 54,680 real DVSA MOT tests on the Subaru Legacy — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: BL (1998–2003), BM (2009–2014), BN (2014–2020).
Where the Subaru Legacy fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Subaru Legacy is abs fault — this model is 28 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 54,680 MOT tests, 3.67% of all Subaru Legacy tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (27x the fleet average), emissions failure (17x the fleet average), headlight fault (16x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (8.9x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Subaru Legacy's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Brakes, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Subaru Legacy before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Subaru Legacy's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Subaru Legacy specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (27x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (9.4x). emissions failure (7.3x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (6.8x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Subaru Legacy specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (28x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (22x). subframe bushes or mounts worn (11x) and emissions failure (10x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Subaru Legacy specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (12x the average) and headlight fault (11x). steering rack wear (11x) and anti-roll bar links worn (10x) also appear frequently.
The shift from anti-roll bar links worn at lower mileages to abs fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Subaru Legacy specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Vehicle structure corrosion Dangerous
Subaru Legacy models show structural corrosion rates up to 11.1 times higher than the fleet average, particularly affecting the subframe and structural mounting points. Affects BL, BL/BP, BM/BR, BN/BS; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£2,000.
Excessive suspension component wear Major
Subaru Legacy models show excessive wear rates in suspension bushes, joints, and pins compared to the fleet average. Affects BL, BL/BP, BM/BR, BN/BS; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
CVT transmission failure Major
Fifth and sixth generation Legacy models with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) suffer from premature transmission failure, particularly the torque converter and internal components. Affects BM/BR, BN/BS; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,500–£4,000.
Head gasket failure Major
Early Subaru flat-four engines are prone to head gasket failure, particularly external coolant leaks rather than internal combustion chamber breaches. Affects BL, BL/BP; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,000–£1,800.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Subaru Legacy common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Subaru Legacy
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Subaru Legacy:
Brakes — check for abs fault. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded, subframe bushes or mounts worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, light unit fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about vehicle structure corrosion and excessive suspension component wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Subaru Legacy?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Subaru Legacy MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Subaru Legacy?
Based on 54,680 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 28x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include anti-roll bar links worn and emissions failure.
Is the Subaru Legacy reliable based on MOT data?
The Subaru Legacy has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag vehicle structure corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Subaru Legacy most commonly fails on abs fault and headlight fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are anti-roll bar links worn and brake hoses perished or damaged.
How do I check a Subaru Legacy's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.